The summer of 2026 will go down in European history as one of the hottest and most devastating in terms of wildfires. Extreme, breathtaking fires continue to ravage the southern part of the continent: from France to Greece, through Spain and Portugal, hundreds of thousands of hectares have been burned to ashes, and tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee. This week, to help enrich our understanding and awareness of wildfires in Europe, we are publishing a cross-border investigation that uses the data to assess the damage.
In France, firefighters are preparing for a battle that could last weeks, or even months. Spectacular images like those from Ávila and Madrid are emblematic of the national emergency faced by Spain, as the country experiences one of its worst waves of wildfires in one season. As the disasters multiply, and adaptation to our new climate becomes increasingly difficult, the inevitable question arises: what will the summers of our future be like?
Like every summer, Voxeurop will be taking a short break. We’ll put this section on hold for a few weeks, and then return in late August.
Do you like our work?
Help multilingual European journalism to thrive, without ads or paywalls. Your one-off or regular support will keep our newsroom independent. Thank you!
